# MAD vs CTLS Parent

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MAD at 67% against CTLS Parent's 22%. MAD also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 17.0). CTLS Parent's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 14). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

CTLS Parent holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CTLS Parent has 1.2K ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of MAD's written reviews are positive against 22% of CTLS Parent's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

MAD ships an update every 3 months, CTLS Parent weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MAD | CTLS Parent |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mad-store/id939406790/reviews) | **[3.8 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ctls-parent/id1382963777/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 14 | **1.2K** |
| Positive reviews | **66.7% of reviews** | 22.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 39 MB | 153 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MAD-learn](https://appshunter.io/developer/1272124741) | [ParentSquare](https://appshunter.io/developer/908126682) |

## What reviewers say

### MAD

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mad-store/id939406790)

This platform allows students and teachers to preview and showcase apps they create using a mobile app development program. It provides a space to present innovative ideas, receive feedback, and potentially gain global recognition for student-created applications.

**Highlights:** Preview student-created apps, Showcase app creations, Enter 9-digit preview codes, Receive feedback on apps, Potential for global publication

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### CTLS Parent

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ctls-parent/id1382963777)

This app connects school districts, teachers, and families in one central location. It facilitates communication through messages, alerts, and updates, ensuring families stay informed about school events and student progress. Features include direct messaging, group conversations, and event sign-ups.

**Highlights:** School news and classroom updates, Direct messaging with teachers, Automated message translation, Important alerts and notices, Event and volunteer sign-ups, Absence and tardy reporting

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good communications
- 🚀 Excellent resource
- 🚀 Consolidation is good

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Awful & Useless
- 🐛 Frustrated parent
- 🐛 It is difficult hard to understand
- 🐛 The app is not ready
- 🐛 Email system is garbage

**Reported bugs**

- Bug in calendar
- Continuously showing the same July 23 message
- Stuck on the same message from JULY

**Requested features**

- Make one for students


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MAD free?

MAD is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is CTLS Parent free?

CTLS Parent is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, MAD or CTLS Parent?

CTLS Parent is rated higher. MAD averages 3.5 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while CTLS Parent averages 3.8 from 1.2K ratings.

### Do MAD or CTLS Parent have ads?

Neither MAD nor CTLS Parent shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MAD or CTLS Parent?

MAD ships an update every 3 months, and CTLS Parent weekly. Most recently, MAD was updated on October 11, 2026 and CTLS Parent on October 17, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*